Ex-Louisville players sue NCAA over vacated national title

Associated Press

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11:18 am CDT, Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino talks with Luke Hancock (11) during the second half of the Midwest Regional final in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Indianapolis. Louisville won 85-63. less

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino talks with Luke Hancock (11) during the second half of the Midwest Regional final in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Indianapolis. Louisville ... more

Photo: Darron Cummings, AP

Photo: Darron Cummings, AP

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Louisville head coach Rick Pitino talks with Luke Hancock (11) during the second half of the Midwest Regional final in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Indianapolis. Louisville won 85-63. less

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino talks with Luke Hancock (11) during the second half of the Midwest Regional final in the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 31, 2013, in Indianapolis. Louisville ... more

Photo: Darron Cummings, AP

Ex-Louisville players sue NCAA over vacated national title

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A group of former Louisville men's basketball players have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA over the organization's vacation of the Cardinals' 2013 national championship and 2012 Final Four.

John Morgan, one of several attorneys representing former Cardinals captain Luke Hancock, the 2013 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and four teammates from that title team, said a lawsuit had been filed and described the NCAA as "a morally bankrupt organization" that exploits student-athletes during a Wednesday news conference.

The NCAA stripped Louisville of the title as part of sanctions for violations discovered during an escort scandal investigation.

The governing body in February denied the school's appeal and vacated 123 victories, including their third NCAA title, following an escort's book allegations in October 2015 that former basketball staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers for sex parties. Louisville removed the championship banner from its home arena soon afterward.

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"We are used to fighting giants," Morgan said. "In the sports world, I don't think any giant exists like the NCAA. The NCAA is a giant, but the NCAA is a morally bankrupt organization that has taken advantage of economically disadvantaged kids throughout the country.

The liability attorney did not mention former Louisville coach Rick Pitino, who has denied knowledge of the activities alleged by Katina Powell in her book "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen."

Several investigations soon followed after Powell's allegations, including ones by the school and the NCAA. Louisville's own investigation found that violations did occur and imposed penalties including sitting out the 2016 postseason in an effort to mitigate NCAA penalties.

The organization in June 2017 ordered Louisville to vacate victories that included the championship and Final Four appearance for activities it described as "repugnant" in its decision. Pitino was suspended for five games for failing to monitor McGee and vowed to fight the penalties. The school and the coach vowed then to fight the penalties.

As the appeals process unfolded, the Hall of Fame coach was suspended and eventually fired after 16 seasons last fall following Louisville's acknowledgment of its involvement in a federal corruption of college basketball.

Pitino is not named in the federal complaint and has denied knowledge of any payments made to the family of former Louisville recruit Brian Bowen. The coach is suing the school along with sportswear maker Adidas, which dropped him after his firing.